Brown-Forman Brings Back ‘Kentucky Boy’ Bourbon to Celebrate Master Distiller Chris Morris’ 50-Year Legacy
Brown-Forman Corporation is celebrating one of the most influential careers in Kentucky bourbon with the return of Kentucky Boy, a historic whisky brand revived in honor of Master Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris and his remarkable 50-year contribution to the bourbon industry.
The limited-edition Kentucky Boy whisky represents both a tribute to Morris and a reflection of the innovation that shaped his career. Created by Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall and Old Forester Assistant Master Distiller Caleb Trigo, the expression is intended as a liquid celebration of their mentor and his lasting influence on modern American whiskey.
Kentucky Boy is a one-time release, with only a limited number of bottles available to consumers and collectors. Bottled at 100 proof (50% alcohol by volume), the whisky carries a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $99.99.
The new expression will make its official debut on September 10 at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown, Kentucky. Beginning September 11 at 10 a.m. ET, bottles will be available in limited quantities at the Old Forester Distillery in Louisville, through the Old Forester online store for shipping to eligible states, and at select Kentucky retailers.
A special Kentucky Boy release celebration will also take place at the Old Forester Distillery on Friday, September 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. ET, giving bourbon enthusiasts an opportunity to celebrate the release with Chris Morris.
A Whisky Inspired by a Legendary Career
Kentucky Boy was developed as a tribute to Morris’ decades of work in bourbon production, blending expertise and creativity associated with several of the most notable whiskies developed during his career.
McCall and Trigo drew inspiration from expressions connected to Morris’ legacy, including Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, King of Kentucky and Woodford Reserve Double Oaked. Together, those whiskies represent different aspects of Morris’ approach to bourbon, from innovation and experimentation to maturation and the development of distinctive flavor profiles.
Rather than simply recreating a historical whisky, Kentucky Boy was conceived as an expression that captures the evolution of Morris’ career and his impact on the bourbon category. The result is positioned as both a collectible release and a tribute to the craft of distilling.
For bourbon enthusiasts, the limited availability of Kentucky Boy adds another layer of significance. As a one-time release, the whisky is expected to appeal to collectors interested in historically inspired expressions as well as consumers who have followed Morris’ work across the Old Forester and Woodford Reserve brands.
Celebrating 50 Years at Brown-Forman
Morris began his career with Brown-Forman in 1976, embarking on a journey that would eventually make him one of the most recognizable figures in Kentucky bourbon.
Over the course of his career, Morris became only the fifth Master Distiller in Old Forester’s history. He also became a central figure behind Woodford Reserve as the brand developed from a Kentucky bourbon producer into a globally recognized premium spirits name.
His career coincided with a major transformation in the American whiskey industry. Bourbon experienced renewed interest among consumers in the United States and international markets, while premium and super-premium expressions gained greater recognition around the world.
Morris’ focus on flavor innovation played an important role during that period. His work helped demonstrate the potential for bourbon to compete for attention alongside prestigious spirits categories traditionally associated with premium positioning, including single malt Scotch whisky and Cognac.
Reflecting on his five decades in the industry, Morris described his career as both an honor and a privilege and highlighted the growing appreciation for Kentucky bourbon among consumers.
He also expressed confidence in the next generation of distillers, noting that future Kentucky bourbon makers will continue building on the momentum established over the past half-century.
A Historic Brand Returns
The Kentucky Boy name itself has a connection to Brown-Forman’s long history.
To create the tribute, the company turned to the Brown-Forman Archives, searching its extensive historical records for a brand that could appropriately represent Morris’ Kentucky roots and his connection to the bourbon industry.
The Kentucky Boy label was originally acquired by Brown-Forman in 1923, when the company purchased Louisville’s Lynndale Distillery during the Prohibition era.
The brand was subsequently marketed through the 1940s with a thoroughbred racing theme, linking its identity to Kentucky’s longstanding horse-racing culture.
After decades of dormancy, the name is now being brought back for a very different purpose. Brown-Forman is using the historic label to connect its corporate and bourbon heritage with the career of one of its most influential distilling figures.
The revival effectively gives Kentucky Boy two historical dimensions: the story of an archived Brown-Forman brand and the five-decade professional journey of Chris Morris.
A Liquid Timeline of Bourbon Innovation
Brown-Forman describes the new whisky as an unprecedented blend designed to offer collectors what amounts to a “liquid timeline” of Morris’ influence on contemporary bourbon.
The concept allows the release to function as more than another limited-edition bottle. It connects multiple stages of bourbon development associated with Morris and highlights the experimentation and craftsmanship that became hallmarks of his career.
The collaboration between McCall and Trigo is also significant because both distillers were mentored by Morris. Their involvement allows the new release to represent not only his past achievements but also the knowledge and techniques passed to the next generation of Brown-Forman distillers.
That connection between generations is particularly important as the bourbon industry continues to evolve. Kentucky’s distilling community has experienced significant growth in consumer interest, innovation and international recognition, creating opportunities for younger distillers to build on the work of industry veterans.
Supporting Thoroughbred Racehorses
Kentucky Boy also carries a philanthropic component tied directly to the history of its name.
A portion of the net proceeds from Kentucky Boy bottle sales will benefit Second Stride, a national nonprofit equine adoption organization focused on the rehabilitation, retraining and placement of retired Thoroughbred racehorses.
The partnership creates a natural connection between the revived Kentucky Boy label and its historical association with thoroughbred racing.
Second Stride works to provide retired racehorses with opportunities beyond their racing careers, helping rehabilitate and retrain them before placing them in suitable new homes.
By directing part of the release’s proceeds toward the organization, Brown-Forman is extending the celebration beyond bourbon and into Kentucky’s broader equine heritage.
Limited Availability Adds Collectors’ Appeal
Kentucky Boy will be offered in limited quantities, making the release particularly relevant to bourbon collectors and enthusiasts interested in Brown-Forman’s historical brands.
The whisky will debut at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival on September 10, followed by limited availability beginning September 11 at the Old Forester Distillery in Louisville, through the Old Forester online store in eligible jurisdictions, and at select Kentucky retailers.
Online shipping will initially be available to Washington, D.C., Kentucky, Nebraska, New Hampshire and North Dakota, where legally permitted.
At 100 proof and a $99.99 suggested retail price, Kentucky Boy occupies a premium position while remaining accessible to consumers looking for a commemorative bottle connected to a significant chapter in bourbon history.
Continuing the Brown-Forman Legacy
Founded in Louisville, Kentucky, Brown-Forman has spent more than 155 years building and managing a portfolio of spirits brands with a global presence. Its portfolio includes the Jack Daniel’s family of brands, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, New Mix, el Jimador, Herradura, The Glendronach, Glenglassaugh, Benriach, Diplomático Rum, Gin Mare, Fords Gin, Chambord and Slane.
The company employs approximately 4,900 people worldwide and distributes its brands in more than 170 countries.
The return of Kentucky Boy brings that long corporate history together with the personal legacy of Chris Morris. By drawing on an archived brand, involving distillers he mentored and creating a whisky inspired by expressions developed throughout his career, Brown-Forman has positioned the release as a celebration of both heritage and innovation.
For bourbon fans, Kentucky Boy offers an opportunity to own a limited expression connected to one of Kentucky’s most influential modern distilling careers. For Brown-Forman, it provides a distinctive way to recognize Morris’ 50 years of service while highlighting the craftsmanship and innovation that helped shape the company’s bourbon portfolio.
As Kentucky bourbon continues to attract consumers around the world, the Kentucky Boy revival serves as a reminder that the category’s modern success is built on decades of experimentation, mentorship and dedication to the craft.
Kentucky Boy Straight Bourbon Whisky is bottled at 50% alcohol by volume by Brown-Forman Distillery Co. in Louisville, Kentucky. The Kentucky Boy trademark is registered, and the release is presented as a limited, one-time offering. Consumers are encouraged to drink responsibly.
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